Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Flu affecting health services
Pictou County may be forced to redirect resources to handle H1N1 cases
By MONICA GRAHAM
Sun. Nov 15 - 4:45 AM
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=200 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top bgColor=#f0f0f0><IMG title="A public health nurse draws back on a syringe for a dose of H1N1 vaccine at a mass clinic at the Dartmouth Sportsplex on Nov. 2. Even as vaccinations proceed, more swine flu cases may force the Pictou County Health Authority to disrupt other services.(TIM KROCHAK / Staff)
" src="http://thechronicleherald.ca/photos/large/tk110209flu7_RGB_11-03-09.jpg" border=0>
A public health nurse draws back on a syringe for a dose of H1N1 vaccine at a mass clinic at the Dartmouth Sportsplex on Nov. 2. Even as vaccinations proceed, more swine flu cases may force the Pictou County Health Authority to disrupt other services.(TIM KROCHAK / Staff)




</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD>



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The H1N1 virus may force the Pictou County Health Authority to defer programs and services in order to deal with the number of swine flu cases.

Close to 8,000 people, or 17 per cent of Pictou County residents, have received vaccines, while almost 900 sick people have visited a temporary flu assessment centre established in New Glasgow on Oct. 31.

The authority may have to make more room in the inpatient units for increasing numbers of H1N1 patients, and move staff from clinics and other services to areas of greater need, spokeswoman Eileen MacIsaac said in a news release Friday.

When the second wave of the H1N1 pandemic is over, any appointments that may be cancelled will be rescheduled as quickly as possible, she said.

To help reduce the spread of the virus, children under 12 are restricted from visiting the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow and Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital in Pictou, and patients are permitted no more than two visitors.

The Pictou County Health Authority will not announce plans for vaccination clinics past Nov. 17, until officials are certain that vaccine will be available.

Clinics for people in high risk groups are scheduled for Nov. 16-17 at the Museum of Industry in Stellarton and at Pictou United Church. Those groups include people younger than 65 with chronic medical conditions, people living with or caring for infants less than six months of age, families or caregivers of people who cannot be immunized and workers in nursing homes and similar facilities. First Nations communities, pregnant women, parents of a baby less than four weeks old, children under five, and children aged five to 19 with chronic medical conditions will also be vaccinated.

A ticket system will eliminate the need for lengthy waits that occurred at past vaccination clinics.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/News/1152791.html

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Valley H1N1 clinics keeping up

Second flu check centre opens, other facilities closing public access

by Sara Keddy/Kings County Register

Article online since November 16th 2009, 11:40


Gordon Atwood of Berwick received an H1N1 shot from LPN Kelly Reinhart at the flu shot clinic held Nov. 12 at the Kingston fire hall. N.Kelly

Valley H1N1 clinics keeping up
Second flu check centre opens, other facilities closing public access

By Nancy Kelly & Sara Keddy

NovaNewsNow.com

Since Annapolis Valley Health (AVH) started rolling out H1N1 vaccination clinics, close to 4,000 people have lined up for a shot in the arm. a second clinic has also been added to keep people with flu-like symptoms from local ERs and doctors? offices.

AVH spokeswoman Sonia Richards reported Nov. 13, at clinics held in nine Valley communities between Oct. 29 and Nov. 12, a total of 3,550 vaccinations were given. The numbers seen at individual clinics varied as eligibility restrictions were tightened in early November and subsequently eased in response to the availability of vaccine.

November 12, a flu shot clinic held at the Kingston fire hall saw 689 people come through the doors between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Ten vaccination stations were open to accommodate the steady flow of people.

Public Health nurse Stacey Hanninen was one of several AVH staff on hand to direct traffic at the Kingston clinic. She confirmed there was a ?considerable line-up? when the clinic opened, but noted the backlog was cleared up shortly after the doors opened. By 6:30 p.m., there had been no time when at least a few people were not waiting in line for their initial screening, but lines were ?short and manageable.?

Hanninen said those in line-up were periodically checked to ensure they met the required criteria, noting some were turned away who did not fall into the current at-risk groups. She added most people seen at the clinic were adults under 65 with pre-existing health conditions, although a fair number of children were also present.

Gordon Atwood of Berwick came to the clinic after visiting his doctor earlier in the day.

?She said, because of my health condition, I should get the shot, so here I am,? explained Atwood, who had received his seasonal flu vaccine several weeks earlier. He said it only took about five minutes from the time he arrived at the fire hall to get his shot.

?Overall, things have gone very smoothly,? acknowledged Hanninen, adding, for the majority of people who received shots Nov. 12, the post-vaccination observation period of 15 minutes accounted for the longest portion of their visit to the clinic.

Second flu assessment clinic

In Greenwood, AVH opened a second flu assessment clinic at the AVM Morfee Centre on School Road Nov. 13 ?in response to the increased volume of patients with flu-like symptoms presenting... in the Western end of the Annapolis Valley.?

The first clinic opened Oct. 31 in Wolfville at the EKM Health Centre and has been seeing a steady flow of about 100 people a day since. Both clinics are open daily from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. until further notice.

At the flu assessment centres, people will be checked by a health care professional for mild to moderate symptoms. The most likely recommendation is to return home and rest and recover; more serious cases could be hospitalized or treated with Tamiflu.

Risk groups expanding

Risk groups who can get the H1N1 vaccine were also expanded last week and now include people younger than 65 with chronic medical conditions, people living with or providing care in the home for infants younger than six months, people living with those at high risk who can?t be immunized (those with severe egg allergies or anaphylaxis, for example), and those who are immunocompromised; people who work in residential care facilities, community-based option and small option opens, group homes and developmental residences; pregnant women and women up to four months post-partum and their partners, children ages six months to under five years of age, children under age 19 with chronic medical conditions, people living in First Nations communities, healthcare workers who provide direct care to patients.

What?s affected

The Valley?s health centres, including Valley Regional Hospital and community services and ERs, are limiting public access.

As of Nov. 10, visitors of patients in a facility are limited ti immediate family only, no more than two at a time, with no visitor access for those under age 12 unless there are compassionate reasons. AVH is also asking people who visit ERs and other community health-based services to ?limit the number of people accompanying them to a loved one.?

The Nova Scotia Youth Centre in Waterville is also still following a provincial justice department decree to limit public access: in Kings County, that means community swimming lessons have been suspended.

Public health has also released suggested guidelines on being prepared for H1N1, very similar to disaster planning: having easy-to-prepare food on hand, extra baby food and necessities, household cleaning products, pain fever and cough medications; along with finding out how to account for time off work and arranging childcare.





Upcoming clinics



Seasonal and H1N1 flu shots will be available between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. for those individuals in risk groups at the following Valley clinics. Shots are free, bring your health card and be prepared to wait with reading material, a snack or drink and outdoor wear.

? Nov. 19 Middleton NSCC

? Nov. 23 Acadia Auxiliary Gym, Wolfville

? Nov. 24 Berwick fire hall

? Nov. 25 Kingston fire hall

? Nov. 26 New Minas Baptist Church





WEBLINKS

www.avdha.nshealth.ca

CONTACTS

811

http://www.novanewsnow.com/article-401571-Valley-H1N1-clinics-keeping-up.html

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

N.S. expecting decision on H1N1 vaccine for general population: health officer


<DL class=author><DD class="date published">Published on November 19th, 2009 </DD></DL>HALIFAX, N.S. - Nova Scotia's chief public health officer says he will decide Friday when to extend immunizations against swine flu to the general public.

Robert Strang says he is talking with officials at the district health authorities about how they would vaccinate everyone who wanted a shot.

Manitoba started supplying the H1N1 vaccine to the general population today, while Ontario plans to begin Friday.

Many other provinces have already set dates for the mass rollout, which has been stalled by delays in the production of the vaccine.

But Strang says his staff is still looking at how they would deliver the vaccine, adding that they will rely more heavily on family physicians and possibly use private nursing agencies.

Strang says the decision also hinges on supply of the vaccine, which could cause them to hold off on offering the vaccine to everyone.

?

http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/Canada---World/Society/2009-11-19/article-196895/N.S.-expecting-decision-on-H1N1-vaccine-for-general-population:-health-officer/1

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

H1N1 Vaccination Campaign Open To All Nova Scotians

<!-- Content --><!-- 10 -->Health Promotion and Protection

November 20, 2009 10:13 AM

<HR>NOTE: A list of clinics open this weekend follows this release.

A social media version of this release, including hi-res, downloadable photographs, audio and video will be available later today, Nov. 20, at www.gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2009-11-20-h1n1.asp .

<HR>Nova Scotia's H1N1 vaccination campaign has been expanded to include all Nova Scotians, Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief public health officer, announced today, Nov. 20.

"Since the beginning, Nova Scotians have shown patience as we have rolled out our immunization campaign to those most at risk first," said Dr. Strang. "Over the coming weeks, we anticipate a steady supply of vaccine, which is why we have decided to open it to everyone.

"I would also like to extend thanks to our public health service staff who have demonstrated a great deal of dedication during the campaign. We recognize that they've worked extremely hard under a difficult situation and will continue to do so in the coming weeks as we continue immunizing Nova Scotians."

The decision is based on the amount of available vaccine and the expected supply over the coming weeks. As of today, the province has almost 70,000 available doses of vaccine. It expects to receive 135,000 doses adjuvanted vaccine early next week.

Nova Scotians are reminded that depending on the number of people coming to clinics, it is possible some districts may temporarily run out of vaccine.

"We would prefer that we run out of vaccine and restart clinics when we get more, than have vaccine sitting in fridges throughout the province," said Dr. Strang. "Vaccination is the best defence against H1N1 and the sooner we can get more vaccine into people's arms, the better."

Dr. Strang still encourages individuals most at risk to get vaccinated. Healthy Nova Scotians are asked to be patient as these groups continue to come to the clinics. The campaign will take a number of weeks to complete as more and more Nova Scotians come to the clinics.

On Nov. 16, the province announced that one group of children -- those with a chronic medical condition but who are not immunocompromised -- could wait longer than the minimum 21 days for their second dose. Now that the campaign has been opened to all Nova Scotians, those children can receive their second dose when they reach the 21-day mark.

Dr. Strang also encouraged employers to be flexible with employees over the coming weeks to provide them the opportunity to get vaccinated.

"Allowing employees the time off to get vaccinated will benefit the employer in the long term," said Dr. Strang.

For more information, visit www.gov.ns.ca/h1n1 , or call HealthLink 811.



Follwing is a list of clinics open Saturday, Nov. 21:

-- Bridgewater High School, Lunenburg Co., 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
-- Barrington & Island Fire Hall Clinic, Shelburne Co., noon - 4 p.m.
-- Greenwood New Beginnings Clinic, Kings Co., 10 p.m. - 2 p.m.
-- Truro Mall Clinic, Colchester Co., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
-- Pictou County YMCA Clinic, Pictou Co., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
-- East Dartmouth Community Centre Clinic, Halifax Regional Municipality, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
--Italian Canadian Cultural Association Clinic, Halifax Regional Municipality, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
-- Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville Clinic, Halifax Regional Municipality, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20091120002

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD background=images/dash.gif height=1></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=10>Last updated at 2:41 PM on 22/11/09 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
H1N1 vaccination clinics in the Capital Health district through Nov. 28
Halifax News Net

All Nova Scotians are now eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine and there are many opportunities to be vaccinated at clinics throughout the Capital Health district over the coming days and weeks.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Dartmouth North Community Centre, Dartmouth - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Gym
Captain William Spry Community Centre, Spryfield - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Community Meeting Room - Main Entrance
Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville- 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Gym - Hockeytown Entrance (in the Sackville Sports Stadium)

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Fairview Junior High School, Halifax - 3:00pm to 8:00pm
Captain William Spry Community Centre, Spryfield - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Community Meeting Room - Main Entrance
Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Gym - Hockeytown Entrance (in the Sackville Sports Stadium)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

St. Margaret?s Centre, Upper Tantallon - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Gym
Eastern Shore Community Centre, Musquodoboit Harbour - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Captain William Spry Community Centre, Spryfield - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Community Meeting Room - Main Entrance
Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Gym - Hockeytown Entrance (in the Sackville Sports Stadium)

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Dartmouth Sportsplex, Dartmouth - 9:30am to 2:30pm
Common Room Entrance
Captain William Spry Community Centre, Spryfield - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Community Meeting Room - Main Entrance
Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Gym - Hockeytown Entrance (in the Sackville Sports Stadium)

Friday, November 27, 2009

Windsor Elementary School, Windsor - 4:00pm to 7:30pm
Gym
Captain William Spry Community Centre, Spryfield - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Community Meeting Room - Main Entrance
Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Gym - Hockeytown Entrance (in the Sackville Sports Stadium)

Saturday, November 28, 2009

NSCC Akerley Campus, Dartmouth - 9:30am to 2:30pm
Gym
Captain William Spry Community Centre, Spryfield - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Community Meeting Room - Main Entrance

Interpretation services are available, on site or on call at vaccination clinics. We will be offering more clinics as vaccine becomes available.

Flu Assessment Centres are open daily at:

Halifax
Maritime Hall at the Halifax Forum, 6209 Almon Street in Halifax
Hours: 11am to 7:30pm

Dartmouth
202 Brownlow Avenue, Unit C-CR (Next to Staples in Burnside, facing onto Burnside Drive)
Hours: 11am to 7:30pm


Flu-like symptoms are fever and/or cough, and one or more of the following: unusual tiredness, headache, muscle or joint aches, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea in children less than five years of age.

If you are otherwise healthy, and experiencing these symptoms, please stay at home and take care of yourself. If you need medical assistance, please go to the Assessment Centres in Halifax, Dartmouth or Windsor. If you are outside these areas and require care, please contact your family physician or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

Health professionals at the Assessment Centres will assess patients for flu and H1N1. They will provide advice on what you need to do to get better and they may also provide treatment. If you require additional care or follow-up, they will provide the referral. The Assessment Centres are not providing vaccinations for seasonal or H1N1 flu, are not swabbing patients to confirm H1N1 and will not offer inpatient care.

As with any medical emergency, if you are severely ill, you should seek immediate help by going to your nearest Emergency Department or calling 911.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/index.cfm?sid=305022&sc=608

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Get Immunized

<!-- Content --><!-- 16 -->Health Promotion and Protection

November 26, 2009 4:02 PM
<HR>
NOTE: The following is a feature story by Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Public Health Officer of Nova Scotia.

<HR>
What if I told you that in the coming weeks, a member of your family could become seriously ill and have to be hospitalized? Would you take a simple, easy step to prevent that from happening? Would you get vaccinated against H1N1?

Despite what you may hear on the streets, H1N1 is still here, and we expect to see more in the coming weeks and months. In Nova Scotia, there have been 205 hospitalizations due to H1N1 so far this flu season, 720 lab-confirmed cases and five deaths. That's why you need to get vaccinated.

While there are groups at higher risk of severe disease from H1N1, everyone is at some risk. We are seeing otherwise healthy people come down with severe and debilitating illness from H1N1, and some have died.

The H1N1 vaccine is safe, effective and the best way to prevent the spread of the H1N1 infection. And now that the vaccine is available to all Nova Scotians, the only sure way you can reduce the impact of H1N1 here at home, is by getting immunized.

With the holiday season fast approaching, with exams almost here for university students, and with more people booked to travel over the next few weeks, there are many other reasons for people to want to stay healthy.

Getting sick may also cause a financial burden for some. Taking time off work may mean unpaid sick leave. Employers across the province have been watching H1N1 carefully and the recommendation for those who are experiencing flu-like symptoms is to stay home until they are well. Most people can?t afford to take a week off work unpaid ? it's like spending your vacation in bed.

So if you don't want to spend your holiday in bed; if you don't want to miss your exam; or if you can?t afford to get H1N1 ? get immunized.

The benefits of immunization will be felt not only by you, but also your family and your community. There are some people in our communities, including very young babies, frail elderly, cancer patients on chemotherapy, and those with immunodeficiency, who cannot be immunized because the vaccine does not work well for them. We can help protect these vulnerable people by having high rates of immunization across our province.

High immunization rates will help prevent the spread of the illness, in addition to helping protect our health care system. This will ensure that care will be available when it is really needed, either for H1N1 or any other illness.

Perhaps you're one of the many Nova Scotians who have already experienced flu-like symptoms. After all, you?ve heard that the H1N1 virus is the only flu strain circulating in the province. So naturally, that?s what you must have had.

Wrong.

Just because you've been ill with flu-like symptoms doesn't necessarily mean it was H1N1. Unless you've had a lab-confirmed case of the virus, you should get vaccinated.

At the end of the day, opting to not get vaccinated means taking a gamble. It's a gamble with your health, and the health of all those around you in your home, your workplace and your community.

You have the power to make a difference and improve the health of all Nova Scotians. The time to act is now. Get vaccinated and ask those around you to do the same.

http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20091126010

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=10>Last updated at 5:42 PM on 26/11/09 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
H1N1 Vaccination Clinics in the Capital Health district through Dec. 4
Halifax News Net

All Nova Scotians are now eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine and there are many opportunities to be vaccinated at clinics throughout the Capital Health district over the coming days.

The pandemic is not over. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family.

Clinics are open to all, but if you can?t get to one, contact your family doctor or employer to see whether they are offering vaccine.

Friday, November 27, 2009

• <LI class=MsoNormal>Windsor Elementary School, Windsor - 4:00pm to 7:30pm
  • Gym
  <LI class=MsoNormal>Captain William Spry Community Centre, Spryfield - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
  • Community Meeting Room - Main Entrance
• Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville - 2:00pm to 7:00pm
  • Gym - Hockeytown Entrance (in the Sackville Sports Stadium)

Saturday, November 28, 2009
? Halifax Forum, Halifax ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pmMaritime Hall
? NSCC Akerley Campus, Dartmouth ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pm
o Gym (through rear entrance off Main Street)
? Captain William Spry Community Centre, Spryfield ? 2:00 pm ? 7:00 pm
o Community Meeting Room - Main Entrance

Monday, November 30, 2009

? Halifax Forum, Halifax ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pm
o Maritime Hall
? Cole Harbour Place, Cole Harbour ? 2:00 pm ? 7 :00 pm
o 2<SUP>nd</SUP> Floor Westfall and Forest

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

? Dartmouth Sportsplex, Dartmouth ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pm
o Common Room Entrance
? Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, Hammonds Plains ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pm

• • Main entrance

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

? Halifax Forum, Halifax ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pm
o Maritime Hall
? St. Margaret?s Centre, Upper Tantallon ? 2:00 pm ? 7:00 pm
o Gym
? Dartmouth Sportsplex, Dartmouth ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pm
o Common Room Entrance
? Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, Hammonds Plains ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pm

• • Main entrance

Thursday, December 3, 2009

? Cole Harbour Place, Cole Harbour ? 2:00 pm ? 7 :00 pm
o 2<SUP>nd</SUP> Floor Westfall and Forest
? Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, Hammonds Plains ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pm

• • Main entrance

? Ecole du Carrefour, Dartmouth ? 4:00 pm ? 7:00 pm
o Gym
? Eastern Shore Community Centre, Musquodoboit Harbour ? 2:00 pm ? 7:00 pm
? North Preston Community Centre, North Preston ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pm

• • Gym B

Friday, December 4, 2009

? Halifax Forum, Halifax ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pm
o Maritime Hall
? Cole Harbour Place, Cole Harbour ? 2:00 pm ? 7 :00 pm
o 2<SUP>nd</SUP> Floor Westfall and Forest
? Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, Hammonds Plains ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pm
o Main entrance
? Captain William Spry Community Centre, Spryfield ? 9:30 am ? 2:30 pm
o Community Meeting Room - Main Entrance


http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/index.c...=306453&sc=608

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

H1N1 clinics coming to Halifax-area schools

Last Updated: Friday, November 27, 2009 | 12:13 PM AT

CBC News


The first school-based H1N1 vaccination clinics will open in the Halifax area next week.

The Capital District Health Authority says the two clinics in Lower Sackville and central Halifax are pilot projects.

Students and teachers at Sackville High will be able to get the H1N1 shot during school hours on Monday, while the clinic at Citadel High will open on Tuesday.

Both clinics will be open to the general public after school until 9 p.m.
Doug Hadley, spokesman for the Halifax Regional School Board, said health officials contacted the board earlier this week, before the death of a Bedford man was made public.

Stephen Nolan, 46, died in hospital on Wednesday after spending a few days in the intensive-care unit. He was a healthy man whose flu symptoms progressed quickly, his family said. Nolan's family encouraged people with no risk factors to get immunized against H1N1.

The H1N1 vaccine has been available to all Nova Scotians since last Friday. It had been restricted to only priority groups due to a nation-wide shortage.

Capital Health added extra clinics at the Halifax Forum starting on Saturday.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2009/11/27/ns-swine-flu-schools.html

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Community H1N1 flu shot clinics continue


South West Health targets schools as more vaccine becomes available 



by John DeMings/Digby Courier
Article online since November 28th 2009,

There is still H1N1 flu activity in area communities and South West Health is recommending that the best way to protect yourself and your family from this serious illness is to get a flu shot.

More H1N1 flu shot clinics will be announced for Digby, Shelburne and Yarmouth counties for the weeks ahead, in addition to these clinics: 



Digby Legion - Monday, Nov. 30, from 2 to 7 p.m.


Weymouth Legion - Thursday, Dec. 3 from 2 to 7 p.m.


South West Health Public Health Services has been looking at how best to make the H1N1 vaccine available as widely as possible. With the increase in vaccine supply, it has been decided in partnership with the Tri-County Regional School Board to begin offering the H1N1 flu shot to students in schools starting this week. 
 


The H1N1 flu shot will be available to students in Digby Regional High
School on Wednesday, St. Mary?s Bay Academy
on Thursday, and Digby Elementary on Friday.

School clinics are for school students only. Consent forms and additional information will be sent home to parents. This information will be posted on the South West Health website when it is available.
 


Some physicians are also giving flu shots to their patients. Call your doctor to check.
 
Remember to bring your health card when going to a flu shot clinic.

People are urged not to attend a clinic if already suffering flu symptoms.

http://www.novanewsnow.com/article-406825-Community-H1N1-flu-shot-clinics-continue.html

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza)

<!-- Content -->H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinics


Nova Scotia's H1N1 vaccination campaign has been expanded to include all Nova Scotians,
District Health Authorities are organizing vaccine clinics in communities across the province. Check out the map below for more information on clinics in your area and contact your District Health Authority if you have questions.
<MAP name=Map><AREA shape=POLY target=_blank alt="IWK Health Centre" coords=159,226,157,238,253,238,254,226 href="http://www.iwk.nshealth.ca/index.cfm?objectid=829BB131-F5AE-6A06-60BEDCDE7C29C2F0"><AREA shape=POLY target=_blank alt="Capital Health" coords=145,224,235,224,266,205,239,181,164,209,152 ,181,129,206,139,220 href="http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/h1n1VaccinationClinics"><AREA shape=POLY target=_blank alt="Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority H1N1 Vaccine Clinics" coords=286,120,266,134,276,165,237,175,272,205,350 ,168,318,164,334,151,361,147,391,131,315,110 href="http://www.gasha.nshealth.ca/TemporaryPostings/H1N1_Vaccine_Clinic_GASHA.pdf"><AREA shape=POLY target=_blank alt="Cape Breton District Health Authority H1N1 Vaccine Clinics" coords=363,17,304,114,356,116,393,136,428,112,402, 82,372,83,385,29 href="http://www.cbdha.nshealth.ca/IC2/Intranet/index.cfm"><AREA shape=POLY target=_blank alt="Colchester East Hants Health Authority H1N1 Vaccine Clinics" coords=150,154,168,210,239,176,214,141,199,135,181 ,155 href="http://www.cehha.nshealth.ca/docs/clinic_schedule103009.pdf"><AREA shape=POLY target=_blank alt="Pictou County Health Authority Flu Immunization Clinics" coords=207,133,235,175,274,164,266,137 href="http://www.pcha.nshealth.ca/pictoucounty/h1n1/docs/clinics_schedule.pdf"><AREA shape=POLY target=_blank alt="Cumberland Health Authority H1N1 Vaccine Clinics" coords=148,113,91,173,144,167,145,154,169,153,175, 158,198,131,206,131 href="http://www.cha.nshealth.ca/pdf_files/swine/h1n1_clinic_110209.pdf"><AREA shape=POLY target=_blank alt="South Shore Health H1N1 Vaccine Clinics" coords=67,262,127,206,153,238,95,303 href="http://www.ssdha.nshealth.ca/H1N1%20and%20Seasonal%20Flu%20Vaccine%20Poster.pdf "><AREA shape=POLY target=_blank alt="South West Health Community H1N1 Vaccine Clinics" coords=40,224,0,265,46,341,95,309 href="http://www.swndha.nshealth.ca/pages/Flu%202008.htm"><AREA shape=POLY target=_blank alt="Annapolis Valley H1N1 Vaccine Clinics" coords=40,223,70,256,145,190,134,170 href="http://www.avdha.nshealth.ca/"></MAP>

District Health Authority H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinics

• South Shore Health
• South West Health
• Annapolis Valley Health
• Colchester East Hants Health Authority
• Cumberland Health Authority
• Pictou County Health Authority
• Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority
• Cape Breton Health Authority
• Capital Health
• IWK Health Centre

http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/h1n1/h1n1-clinics.asp

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Province expands access to H1N1 vaccine, hospital visitations resume

MONIQUE MUISE
METRO HALIFAX
November 30, 2009 12:02 a.m.

Getting vaccinated for H1N1 may get easier over the next few days as the Capital District Health Authority expands the number of places where people can line up for the shot.

Starting today, students at Sackville High will be eligible for the vaccine during regular school hours. A second school-based clinic is slated to open at Citadel High tomorrow, and both clinics will be open to the general public after school until 9 p.m.


Peter Graham, spokesman for the Capital District Health Authority, said the clinics are part of a pilot project that will be expanded into other area schools over the next couple of weeks.

?Right now, we?re in discussion with the school board to organize additional clinics,? Graham said. ?The details are still being worked out.?


As the province continues on the downward slope of the second wave of the pandemic, officials have also eased up on restrictions surrounding visitation in area hospitals. As of Friday, the IWK Health Centre and other capital health facilities returned to normal visitation policies.

Two weeks ago, concerns about the spread of H1N1 prompted hospitals to limit the number of visitors a patient could receive and turn away any visitors under the age of 12.

Both Capital Health and the IWK are still urging people who are displaying flu-like symptoms to avoid visiting anyone in the hospital.

http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/local/article/382790--province-expands-access-to-h1n1-vaccine-hospital-visitations-resume

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Swine flu shots go to schools, universities

Last Updated: Monday, November 30, 2009 | 9:58 PM ET

CBC News

A push began Monday in Nova Scotia to get the H1N1 vaccine into the arms of a challenging age group ? high school and university students who are not in the habit of getting flu shots.

The strategy is to take the shot to the students, and Capital Health opened clinics at two Halifax-area high schools and at universities.

At the Dalhousie University clinic, 3,000 doses were available for students, faculty and staff Monday, but just over 1,500 people turned out to get vaccinated even though some university students have already learned a tough lesson about swine flu.

"It was a huge damper on my studies," Maggie Lovett said. "I had to take like a week off school, so anything I can do to prevent that from happening again, I'll do it."

Others are willing to take their chances with the flu. Frank Portman said he doesn't plan to be vaccinated.

"Well, I just think from what I've heard there are still a lot of question marks about its effectiveness and some of the side-effects," he said.

Still serious threat

Dan Thorn also isn't convinced he should get a shot. "It's probably not that big a deal, and I think I could fight it off if I got it anyway," he said.
But Nova Scotia's top public health doctors say swine flu is still a serious threat.

"People moving into their 20s, we haven't seen as much disease. But, again, we've certainly had severe disease in those age groups and people have died in those age groups," Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief medical officer of health, said Monday.

The first high school clinic at Sackville High targeted a younger, even harder-to-reach age group ? teenagers aged 15 to 18. Students were excused from class to get the shot.

"Some people are worried about side-effects, but I'd rather take my chances and do it," Todd Stewart said..

Capital Health vaccinated more than 350 students and hopes to move into even more high schools in the coming weeks.

"We've managed to vaccinate over 50 per cent of the students at school today, so that's better than the turnout at our community clinics," said

Dr. Gaynor Watson Creed, medical officer of health with Capital Health.
The next high school clinic opens Tuesday at Citadel High in Halifax.

There are now three people in hospital with swine flu in the Halifax area, two of them in the intensive-care unit.

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/11/30/ns-students-vaccination.html

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

South West Health adds H1N1 clinics in schools to increase access to vaccine

List of community clinics and school clinics planned for this week

Article online since November 30th 2009

South West Health has announced its latest list of H1N1 clinics, which this time also includes vaccination clinics in local schools, although those clinics are for students only.

The school clinics have been added as the health district has looked into how best to make the H1N1 vaccine available as widely as possible. With an increase in vaccine supply, it has been decided in partnership with the Tri-County Regional School Board to begin offering the H1N1 Flu Shot to students in schools starting next week.

Consent forms and additional information are being sent home to parents.

The H1N1 flu shot will be available to students in the following schools this week:

Tues. Dec. 1: Yarmouth high school, Shelburne high school and Digby high school

Wed. Dec. 2: Yarmouth Junior High, Barrington High, St. Mary?s Bay Academy

Thur. Dec. 3: Maple Grove, Lockeport high and elementary, Digby Elementary

Fri. Dec. 4: Meadowfields, Forest Ridge Academy, Carleton Consolidated

Meanwhile, community health clinics are planned for the following areas this week, and more clinics will be announced for Digby, Shelburne and Yarmouth Counties in the weeks ahead.

Digby Legion: Monday, Nov. 30, from 2 to 7 p.m.

Lockeport Fire Hall: Tuesday, Dec 1, from 2 to 7 p.m.

Weymouth Legion: Thursday, Dec. 3 from 2 to 7 p.m.

Yarmouth Burridge Campus, NSCC: Saturday, Dec. 5, from 11 to 4 p.m.

Barrington Lions Hall: Monday, Dec. 7 from 2 to 7 p.m.

Shelburne Fire Hall: Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 2 to 7 p.m.

Some physicians are also giving flu shots to their patients. People can call their doctor to check.

http://www.novanewsnow.com/article-406984-South-West-Health-adds-H1N1-clinics-in-schools-to-increase-access-to-vaccine.html

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Vaccine program may end in weeks

By JOHN McPHEE Health Reporter
Thu. Dec 10 - 4:46 AM

Nova Scotia?s largest mass vaccination campaign may end this month.

The number of H1N1 cases has dropped dramatically over the past weeks and relatively few people are going to vaccination clinics.

Clinics will be held over the next two weeks, but the need for more clinics will be assessed after that, Dr. Robert Strang, the province?s chief public health officer, said at a news conference Wednesday in Halifax.

There were only five new H1N1 hospitalizations between Nov. 29 and Saturday, compared to 50 in the previous week.

"We need to come back to what is both efficient and cost-effective," Dr. Strang said

"You do reach a point where running large mass clinics is neither of those, when you only have small numbers of people being immunized."

Regardless of the decision on clinics, vaccine will continue to be available to doctors? offices and institutions over the winter, he said.

Some experts have said governments are wasting money by continuing vaccination clinics, given the decline in the outbreak.

Fewer than 30 per cent of the population need to be vaccinated to reach a critical level of immunity, Dr. David Fisman, a University of Toronto expert in infectious disease dynamics, told the Montreal Gazette on Wednesday.

But Dr. Strang said a third wave of H1N1 is still possible, so he continues to urge people to get vaccinated.

About 52 per cent of the province?s population had been vaccinated as of Saturday. That?s a jump from about 38 per cent in the previous week.

The province received 160,000 doses of vaccine last week and expects to get 123,000 more doses next week.

The province may tell Ottawa to send some of Nova Scotia?s vaccine to needy countries, Dr. Strang said.

"We walking a fine balance in making sure we have enough vaccine for today and trying to estimate what our needs will be in the new year," he said.

The Capital Health district health authority cancelled its flu clinics on Wednesday night after a snowstorm was forecast to hit the province.

The authority will make a decision on this evening?s flu clinics this morning.

The seasonal flu vaccine continues to be made available free to high-risk groups, Dr. Strang said. There have been no confirmed cases of the seasonal flu this year.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1156936.html

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=10>Last updated at 11:41 PM on 14/12/09 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

H1N1 clinics continue
The Truro Daily News

TRURO ? Since October, more than 22,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been delivered at public clinics in Colchester East Hants communities, a health authority community spokesperson says.

As well, more than 15,000 vaccines
have also been delivered through family doctors, nursing homes and other community organizations.

And while fewer people are getting sick with the H1N1 virus at this time, vaccination remains the best protection from the current wave of the H1N1 pandemic and possible future waves, said spokeswoman Krista Wood.

?All Nova Scotians have been encouraged to get vaccinated by visiting a public clinic, booking an appointment with their family doctor or taking advantage of other vaccination options, such as workplace clinics,? she said. ?Those in high risk groups for seasonal influenza are also eligible to receive this vaccine at public clinics or through their family doctor.?

The Colchester East Hants Health Authority has seen a decline in visits to public clinics over the past week and with the holiday season upon us, clinics scheduled this week are the last that are being planned at this time. Officials will continue to monitor the situation and will schedule additional clinics in the new year as required.

This week?s clinics are as follows

Wednesday, Dec., 16:

? Truro Mall: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

? Elmsdale, East Hants Resource Centre: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

http://www.trurodaily.com/index.cfm?sid=310831&sc=68